Media return system

ABSTRACT

A system includes a consumer electronic device adapted to render a media content and a hand-held, portable device having a touch screen display, a transmitter, a receiver, and a processing unit. The processing unit of the hand-held, portable device uses data related to the media content received via the receiver to cause command icons related to rendering of the media content to be defined and displayed in the touch screen display and to cause the transmitter to transmit one or more commands for controlling a functional operation related to rendering of the media content by the consumer electronic device in response to a user interaction with one or more of the command icons caused to displayed in the touch screen display.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/904,766, filed on Oct. 14, 2010, which application is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 12/240,294, filed on Sep. 29, 2008, whichapplication is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/718,931,filed on Nov. 21, 2000, which applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No.09/611,620, filed Jul. 6, 2000, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 7,079,113,which application was incorporated by reference in U.S. application Ser.No. 09/718,931.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to media systems, hand-held electronicsand control modules. Specific exemplary embodiments discussed relate toremote controls and televisions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The description of art in this section is not intended to constitute anadmission that any patent, publication, or other information referred toherein is prior art with respect to this invention, unless specificallydesignated as such.

Recently, cable television and broadcast television has become rife withcommercials and other interruptions to the primary programming, orfeature (referred to herein, separately and collectively, ascommercials). While some commercials are amusing, they lose their appealvery soon. Changing channels during a commercial break, so-called“channel surfing” or simply “surfing” is at least as old as the firstknown remote control. With more and more channels to surf, a user isprone to become engrossed in the process of surfing itself and miss theprimary feature he was viewing on the primary channel.

The prior art teaches a method of detecting commercials in a televisionto avoid video taping the commercials. During a television broadcast,when the program changes to a commercial, both the video and audiocomponents of the composite television signal fade to a low amplitudelevel. Momentary loss of both the video and audio components at thebeginning of each commercial may be used as an indicator of acommercial. U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,286, issued to Hanpachern describes inmore detail a system for detecting fades in television signals to avoidrecording from a commercial television broadcast. U.S. Pat. No.4,319,286 is hereby incorporated by reference.

U.S. patents and applications relevant to remote control technologyinclude U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,515,052; 5,255,313; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/418,091, filed Oct. 14, 1999, and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/611,620, filed Jul. 6, 2000, all of which are incorporatedherein by reference. Patent '052 discloses a universal remote controlwith function syntheses. The remote control comprises driver circuitryfor communicating code signal generation sequences, including a codegenerated command system, powered by a code setting signal; and memoryfor storing information therein. Patent '313 discloses a universalremote control system having a signal generator to transmit signalswhich will cause specific functions to occur in specific controldevices. Pat. App. Ser. Nos. '091 and '620 disclose means and methods,inter alia, for operating a remote control. Application '620 disclosesmeans and methods for interfacing, and navigating with secondarymaterial on a removable digitally encoded medium. Application '620 alsoteaches means and methods for monitoring keystroke navigation sequencesand other processes related to remote control technology.

Other U.S. patents related to remote control technology, and inparticular relating to learning technology, include U.S. Pat. Nos.4,959,810; 5,288,077; and 5,537,463, which are incorporated herein byreference. Patent '810 discloses means for transferring instructions toRAM wherein the instructions and/or data are transferred from a sourceexternal to the RAM. Patent '077 discloses a remotely upgradableuniversal remote control. Patent '463 discloses means in the remotecontrol for picking up an electromagnetic signal for an electromagneticsignal source and storing output signal data in memory. The outputsignal data stored in memory may correspond to control function data,which may be transmitted to a device to be controlled.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,239 describes a remote control in which the userfirst enters one or more digits of channel number information and thenpresses a SEND key to transfer the channel change information to a TVset or Cable/satellite decoder box.

While the present invention relates to a wide variety of electronics andmedia systems, discussion of exemplary embodiments directed towardsremote controls and televisions will facilitate understanding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a television viewer who“channel surfs” during commercials with a mechanism to automaticallyreturn to the original channel at the conclusion of the commercialbreak. Thus, even if the viewer becomes engrossed in the alternateprogram content, he is still assured that his television will return tothe original program at the appropriate time.

One possible implementation of this return to channel feature would beto build it into the television set in conjunction with a system capableof detecting advertising content (e.g., the system disclosed byHanpachern in U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,286). An alternate implementation, foruse in conjunction with existing TVs not so equipped, uses a timer inthe remote control to approximate this feature. Other alternatives willbe apparent from the teachings of this application.

For one application the present invention is directed toward a mediasystem comprising a television with a tuner connected to receive a mediatransmission and to select a channel. A signal monitor is operablyconnected to monitor the transmission. Channel data may be stored inmemory. A primary timer connected to the signal monitor may be reset totime predetermined intervals, e.g., 32 seconds, upon receipt of apredetermined signal indicator, e.g., a black frame or a generatedsignal from the signal monitor. Upon expiration of the predeterminedinterval, the tuner returns the system to the primary channel, i.e. itselects a channel corresponding to the channel data stored in memory.

The invention also comprises an embodiment directed towards a mediasystem adapted to return to a user-selected channel. A signal monitorconnected to a tuner of a television monitors a media signal (alsoreferred to as media transmission) for a predetermined event. Inresponse to the occurrence of the predetermined event, the timer beginstiming a predetermined interval, or/and may be reset to time thepredetermined interval. Stored in memory is programming that, inresponse to a user-initiated signal, initiates monitoring of the mediasignal for the predetermined event. In general, contemporaneously withthe onset of the signal monitoring, the current channel is stored inmemory. Upon expiration of the predetermined event, the programmingprovides for the return to the stored current channel. Preferably theuser may initiate signal monitoring via a remote control. Suchuser-initiated signal may be, e.g., in response to a user depressing abutton, or key, etc., on the remote control.

An object of the present invention is also to provide a remote controladapted to provide a return to channel feature for a television notequipped for a return to channel feature. Such a remote control may,e.g., comprise programming steps stored in memory for storing a primarychannel indicator in memory in response to a user predetermined action,e.g., such as selecting a key. Programming also includes timing apredetermined interval in response to a second predetermined useraction; and upon expiration of a predetermined interval, transmitting asignal that corresponds to an indicator of the primary channel to amedia device. It will be understood that the second predetermined useraction may be the same as the first predetermined user action, or it maybe different yet similar, such as depressing the same key but for alonger duration, or it may be entirely different.

A method of effecting a return to a primary channel in a media device istaught herein. In one embodiment a primary channel, e.g., the channel oran indicator, is stored in device readable memory in response to theinput of a user. The primary channel is monitored for a predeterminedevent indicative of a change in programming sources. Upon occurrence of,i.e., in response to, the predetermined event, a timer is initiated, orreset or both. Upon expiration of a predetermined interval, timed by thetimer, the system is returned to the stored primary channel.

One method of monitoring the media channel comprises monitoring theprimary channel for a predetermined event and notifying the user uponexpiration of a predetermined interval. The predetermined interval waspreferably initiated upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. Suchnotification may be achieved by exposing the user to either the audio orvideo component of the primary channel, or both. Other means fornotification, such as a blinking light on the remote, as well as otheraudio and visual indicators may be used. It will be appreciated thatalthough this document describes a method that results in an automaticreturn to the primary channel, it is also possible to implement eithersystem to offer only an audible or visible reminder signal rather thanan actual channel change.

Various embodiments directed toward a device readable medium are taughtin the present invention. The device readable medium, depending on theapplication, may be located in the television, the remote control, aseparate adapter, or a combination thereof. Such a device readablemedium typically comprises programming steps for carrying out thedesired application.

Other objects and advantages in accordance with the present inventionwill be apparent to those of skill in the art from the teachingsdisclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the interest of enabling one of skill in the art to practice theinvention, exemplary embodiments are shown and described. For clarity,details apparent to those of skill in the art without undueexperimentation are generally omitted from the drawings and description.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart depicting one method for implementing atelevision-based embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting one method for implementing a remotecontrol-based embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a media system comprising a television without 2 wayremote wireless communication.

FIG. 4 depicts a media system with a television and a remote controladapted for bi-directional communication with each other.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a television according to an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a remote control according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a remote control according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a consumer electronic system including a control modulehaving navigation keys.

FIG. 9 depicts an enlargement of the navigation keys shown on the remotecontrol of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart representing one method of storing and playingback a sequence of navigation keys.

FIG. 11 shows a flow chart representing a method of adding a key to astored sequence.

FIGS. 12( a)-12(d) show changes to a key sequence table as keys in asequence are stored in the table.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart representing a process for playing back astored sequence.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart representing a process for storing and playingback a sequence that includes interkey time delays.

FIG. 15( a)-15(g) depict a key sequence table, similar to that shown inFIG. 12, changing as sequence values, including interkey values, arestored in the key sequence table.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart representing a process for playing back astored sequence having interkey time delay values.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart representing a process for implementing a socalled quick macro.

FIG. 18 shows a remote control capable of displaying at least one menuon a display screen.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a DVD menu tree.

FIG. 20 shows a remote control displaying menu pages corresponding topages of the tree depicted in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows a remote control having menus displaying graphics alongwith text.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is discussed in relation to remote controls andtelevisions; however, other uses will be apparent from the teachingsdisclosed herein. The present invention will be better understood fromthe following detailed description of exemplary embodiments withreference to the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals andcharacters refer to like parts, and by reference to the followingclaims.

Television Set-Based Implementation

Hanpachern (U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,286) teaches a method of detecting thestart of a commercial by monitoring the received video and audio signalsfor a momentary absence of both picture and sound, the so-called “blackframe” that typically results when the signal is switched from oneprogram source to another.

When detected, this black frame occurrence is used to start a timer setto expire 32 seconds later. Since most TV commercials are seconds orless, each new commercial restarts the timer before it expires. Finally,32 seconds after the end of the last commercial, the timer will expire.The period the timer is active can thus be used to signal the durationof a commercial break plus 32 seconds. An additional override timer of a2 minute duration (or other value deemed typical of a standardcommercial break) can optionally be implemented to ensure that this“commercial active” signal does not 10 extend beyond that period, evenif the program material itself contains black frames.

The Hanpachern invention then proposes use of this commercial activesignal to automatically pause a VCR during taping of a show or sportingevent, thereby eliminating commercials from the final recording of thefeature. The television system is not, however, effected—one must stillendure the commercials if the broadcast is being viewedcontemporaneously with the recording.

The present invention proposes, e.g. use of such a signal generated asdescribed above, or in any other suitable manner, to facilitate “channelsurfing” during commercials by providing an automatic return to theoriginal, i.e. primary, program at the end of the commercial break.

In one embodiment, the remote control is equipped with a button labeled,e.g., “Surf.” FIG. 1 is a logic flowchart for carrying out oneembodiment of the TV-based invention. The use of the term “step” hereinis not intended to imply a required order to carry out the steps. Thedesignated numbers are for convenience. At the commencement of acommercial break, the viewer simply presses this surf button beforestarting to channel-surf. Upon receipt of this surf command 30 (step 2),the TV set: stores its current channel number (step 4); initiates abackground process to monitor that primary channel for black frames inthe manner described above (step 6); and starts 32-second-and-two-minutetimers (step 8), again as described above. It should be noted that thebackground process, generally, requires an independent tuner in order tomonitor the current channel while the viewer surfs alternative channels.Due to this two-tuner reason, this embodiment is especially suited to TVmodels that incorporate picture-in-picture capability. The existingsecondary PIP tuner can be used for these surfing or monitoringpurposes.

With the surf feature thus activated, the viewer is now free to issueother remote control commands as needed. However, as soon as either ofthe two timers expires (steps 10 or 12), the TV set will automaticallytune itself back to the saved channel number (step 14), returning theviewer to the program of primary interest at the appropriate time.Additionally, the viewer can cancel the so-called surf timers andimmediately return to the primary channel at any time by pressing thesurf key a second time (step 16).

FIG. 3 shows a media system 20 comprising a remote control 22 incommunication with a plurality of electronic devices 24. Preferably thecommunication link between the remote control 22 and the electronicdevices 24 is wireless and may include a unidirectional IR or RF link28. The TV 32 in FIG. 3 does not include two-way IR 20 capability. Bycontrast the media system 34 shown in FIG. 4, the TV 36 comprisestwo-way IR or RF capability 30 for bi-directional communication with theremote control 22′. For convenience the invention will be described byreference to TV 32, though it will be understood that a two-wayinterface may be used in certain 25 applications.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a TV 32 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. The TV 32 includes a first tuner 38 connected toreceive a media transmission 40 and to select a channel. A signalmonitor 42 is connected to the first tuner 38 to monitor the mediatransmission 40, and memory 44 is used for storing channel data. Aprimary timer 46, associated with the control logic 53, is reset, orbegins timing, or restarts timing a predetermined interval upon receiptof (i.e. in response to) a predetermined signal indicator from thesignal monitor 42. In one preferred embodiment, the predeterminedinterval is 32 seconds and the predetermined signal indicator is a, orcorresponds to a, so-called “black frame.” As discussed above, the TV 32preferably includes a second tuner 48 for channel selecting, connectedto the picture decoding and display circuitry of the TV set (not shown).This allows the first tuner 38 to continue to monitor a specific channelof the media transmission 40 while the second tuner 48 is used to surfvarious other channels. Upon (i.e., in response to) expiration of thepredetermined interval, the tuner 48 is directed by the control logic 53to select (e.g., tune to) a channel corresponding to the channel datastored in memory 44. FIG. 6 depicts a remote control 23 such as may beused with the media system 24. The remote control 23 comprises a signalgenerator 49 (see FIG. 7), adapted to transmit a control signal, e.g.signal 28, compatible with the television 32. In response to apredetermined user action, such as operation of a surf key 50, thesignal generator 49 transmits a signal to the television 32. Receipt ofthis signal via the TV's IR receiver 45 (see FIG. 5) causes the controllogic 53 to initiate monitoring of the media transmission 40 by thesignal monitor 42. The media transmission 40 is also referred to hereinas a media signal 40 or program signal 40.

Preferably programming 51 is stored in memory 44 to control monitoringof the media signal 40 for the occurrence of a predetermined event.Monitoring may be initiated in response to a user-initiated signal (suchas IR transmission 28 generated by depressing surf key 50).Contemporaneously, or subsequently, the current channel may be stored inmemory 44. Again, upon expiration of the predetermined interval, thesystem will return to the stored current channel. It should be notedthat the predetermined interval 30 may be an override interval timed byan override timer 52 (see FIG. 5). However, preferably, the systemreconfigures upon expiration of the first of the predetermined interval,as timed by timer 46, or the override interval, as timed by overridetimer 52.

Remote Control-Based Implementation

In an alternate implementation contained entirely, or substantially,within the remote control 23, or preferably 23′, the received programsignals 40 are not available to be monitored, so a simple timer 54 setfor the typical duration of a commercial break is used instead. In amedia system such as 34 in which the television set 36 is capable oftwo-way communication with the remote control 22, it may be possible forthe remote control to automatically determine the active channel numberat the moment the surf button 50 is activated. However, in general theremote 23 is not able to automatically determine the active channelnumber at the moment the surf button 50 is activated. In a media systemsuch as 24, a means must thus be provided for the user to indicate hisdesired primary viewing channel ahead of time. Such indication may,however, be performed only once at the outset of each show or sportingevent watched, rather than prior to each commercial break. In analternative embodiment, the remote control may determine the currentchannel by monitoring direct channel inputs and Up/Down channel changes.This embodiment is discussed in more detail later.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the user initially begins viewing a program orevent, he indicates to the remote 23′ which channel is of primaryinterest as follows:

-   -   Press and hold the surf button 50 for approximately three        seconds (step 60) until the visible LED blinks twice (step 62),        signaling that the remote 23′ is ready to accept channel        information.    -   Enter whatever sequence of keystrokes is necessary to tune the        TV set to the channel in question. Depending on the particular        model of TV, this will usually consist of one or more digits,        possibly in conjunction with an “enter” or similar key (step        64). The remote may, however, be programmed to accept and store        any sequence of up to three keystrokes (step 66). Also, the        three keystroke limit imposed at step 66 is implementation        specific and in practice any reasonable limit up to the maximum        keystroke storage capacity available in the unit may be used. To        signal the end of key entry, the user presses the surf key 50        once again (step 68). This causes the remote to exit this        channel entry state and return to normal operation, with the        keystroke sequence stored for future use. (In addition, if at        any time during the entry process no key is pressed for, e.g.,        10 seconds, the remote will automatically exit this channel        entry state (step 70).)

Whenever a commercial begins and the user wishes to “channel surf” hefirst briefly presses the surf button 50 (step 72). This starts a timer54 running within the remote control 23′ (step 74). The timer 54 isnominally set for a two-minute interval (but configurable by the userfor shorter or longer times if desired). During the timing period (i.e.the commercial break), the remote 23′ operates in the usual manner(steps 76 a-76 b) to allow the user to switch channels and view othermaterial. When the timer expires (step 78), the remote 23′ retrieves thepreviously stored keystroke sequence, the channel data (step 80), andplays it back, thereby automatically returning the TV to the desiredprimary channel (step 82).

While the user is actively surfing (i.e. the timer in remote control 23′is running), he can, at any time, cancel the timer 54 and returnimmediately to the original channel by pressing the surf button 50 asecond time (step 84).

In one embodiment the remote control 23′ comprises programming stepsstored in memory 88 of the remote 23′. The programming may, for example,comprise storing a primary channel indicator in memory 88 in response toa user predetermined action, and starting the timer 54 in response to asecond predetermined user action. Note, however, the secondpredetermined action may be identical with the first predetermined useraction and may be, for example, depressing the surf key 50.

The memory 88 also includes programming steps for transmitting a signal28 to a media device 24, such as television 32, wherein the signal 28corresponds to a primary channel indicator. The transmission maypreferably occur upon expiration of a predetermined interval, uponexpiration of an override interval, or upon cancellation of the surfmode, for example.

The predetermined user action for storing the primary channel in memory88 may comprise performing the secondary predetermined action. Inresponse to the user action, the programming may also determine if themedia system is tuned to the primary channel, and if the system is nottuned to the primary channel, tuning it to the primary channel. Thechannel store operation may occur contemporaneous with, or subsequent toa user action, where such action may for example comprise depressing thesurf key 50.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the present inventionteaches a method of effecting, or bringing about, a return to a primarychannel in a media device 24, such as a television 36. In oneembodiment, the method comprises, in response to a user input, storing aprimary channel in device readable memory (such as memory 88 or 44, forinstance). The primary channel is monitored for a predetermined eventindicative of a change in programming sources. The aforementioned blackframe is one example of such an indicative event. A timer 54 of apredetermined interval is initiated, either based upon the user input orupon the predetermined event. The timer 54 is preferably reset uponoccurrence of the predetermined event. Finally, the system is returnedto the stored primary channel upon expiration of the predeterminedinterval.

An override timer, for timing an override timed interval, may also beinitiated based upon the predetermined event. If the predeterminedinterval has not expired, the system may be returned to the storedcurrent channel upon expiration of the override time interval.Preferably, the timing of the predetermined interval is terminated uponexpiration of the override timer and the return to the stored currentchannel.

In another embodiment, a signal corresponding the primary channel storedin memory 88 is transmitted to a media device 24 adapted to receive theprimary channel. For example, the remote control 22 may transmit asignal 28 to the television 36 to return to channel 2. The television 36then receives the transmission 28 and changes to channel 2.

Embodiments of the invention may comprise monitoring a media channel fora predetermined event, and notifying the user upon expiration of (i.e.in response to) a predetermined interval. Such notification may includeexposing the user to either the audio component of the primary channel,the video component of the 15 primary channel, or both.

A more general objective of the present invention is to provide a devicereadable medium adapted for use in a media system to facilitateproviding a notification feature. The medium, in a preferred embodiment,comprises programming steps for storing, in response to the user input,a primary media channel of the media system in device readable memory.More generally, the state of the media system is stored in devicereadable memory. The media system state typically comprises the statusof a plurality of features, parameters and the like. Such parametersinclude, inter alia, channel status, volume status, and picture controlstatus; and may apply to one or more of the devices comprising theoverall media system. For example, in system 24 the volume function maybe performed by the audio amplifier′ and the channel selection may beperformed by a combination of the TV set and the Cable Box. In such acase a return to channel function may involve switching of TV inputs asa well as changing channel numbers on one or both of the TV and Cablebox. The state of the media system is frequently and easily altered,typically by a user, from a first state to a second state. Generally,the system is altered most often as a result of channel surfing, orother parameter changes such as the muting of the audible portion of aprogram.

Prior to altering the media system, the user would, generally, actuatethe surf key 50 to store the first state of the media system, whichincludes storing the primary channel and any other desired parameters.Such actuation also sets a timer for a predetermined interval. Uponexpiration of the predetermined interval, the user may be notified viavisible or audible indicators. Such notification may comprisedisengaging the mute button, returning the system back to its firststate, or displaying the first channel visual component within a visualdisplay of the second channel, such as picture-in-picture, or anysufficiently notable change such that the user is notified. Preferablythe primary media channel is monitored while the secondary mediachannels are altered. For example, channel 2, as the primary channel,would be monitored while the user surfs through the other availablechannels, i.e., the secondary media channels.

In systems where the signal for the current channel is not available,the remote control 23 may be programmed with the available channelsthrough known means. As it is desirable to know the current channel forsome applications of this event, it is useful to monitor an identifierof the media channel. This may be done, for example, by updating to acurrent channel register the identifier of the current channel,preferably using a channel entry method such as described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,029,239 or alternatively by monitoring number button presses andthe intervals between them in order to derive channel information. Insuch an example, direct entry of the channel digits could be transferredto the register, and channel up/down controls would likewise effect theidentifier stored in the current channel register. Preferably, however,the television 36 could transmit the current channel to the remote.

To reduce processing, the current register may preferably be updatedafter a delay of several seconds or longer. Thus, for example, changingthrough the channel would not update the current register because theuser is just traversing the available channels to arrive at thesoon-to-be-current channel. After the user has paused at the now currentchannel, the current channel register may update with the currentchannel information read from the available channel cue in the currentpointer location. Then, if the user wants to surf, or alter the systembut return to the primary, stored channel, the user presses the surfbutton 50. Depressing the surf button 50 records the media system'scurrent state and starts available timers. If monitoring is available,that may be initiated as well. Upon occurrence of a predetermined event,the system may return to the first state, or merely notify the user. Inan alternative embodiment, the remote 23′ plays, in reverse order, allof the commands entered between selecting the surf key 50 and eitherselecting the surf key 50 again, or the expiration of one of the timers.If desired, non-channel control and non-audio commands can be filteredout such that only the channel and audio status are reset.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. The scope of the claimed invention is intended to be definedby following claims as they would be understood by one of ordinary skillin the art with appropriate reference to the specification.

As to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/611,620, filed Jul. 6, 2000,this application discloses an exemplary consumer electronic system 210.The system 210 includes a consumer electronic device 212, which is a DVDplayer 213 in a preferred embodiment. Other devices operable withremovable digital media are envisioned as being within the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the system preferably includes at least oneremovable digital medium. In the system 210 shown in FIG. 8 the consumerelectronic device 212 is adapted to operate with a digital video disc214 or a digital memory card 216.

The digital memory card may be a secure memory card such as may beobtained from Matsushita Electronic Industrial, also known as Panasonic,SanDisc, or Toshiba Corporation or other types known in the art. In oneembodiment the secure digital memory card (SD memory card) isapproximately 24 mm by 32 mm by 2.1 mm 9 pins. It has a capacity from 32MB (megabytes) to 250 MB. Generally SD memory cards or memory sticks maybe rated at different respective sizes, e.g., from 2 MB to 10 MB.Preferably, the SD card is SDMI (Secure Digital Music) compliant.

The system 210 also includes a control module 220 which in the preferredembodiment is a hand-held remote control 221. The remote control 221includes navigation keys 222. In an alternative embodiment thenavigation keys 222 may be integral navigation keys 222′. In FIG. 8 theintegral navigation keys 222′ are integral with the player 213.

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of some of the navigation keys of remotecontrol 221, including MENU key 224, SELECT key 226, and the fourdirectional keys 228, 230, 232, and 234. FIG. 9 also shows the JUMP key236.

The remote control 221, preferably includes mode keys 238 for allowingthe remote control to change, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, betweenDVD, VCR, TV and cable modes. Remote control 221 generally includesstandard keys such as volume key 240 and channel key 242. Digit keys 244provide for direct entry and numeric response to queries which sorequire. The remote control 221 is also generally provided with a powerkey 246 and set up means, such as programming initiated with set up key248.

It is desirable to provide the remote control 221 with additionalnavigation keys such as a GUIDE key 250, an INFO key 252, PAGE UP andPAGE DOWN keys 254, 256, and an EXIT key 258. Preferably the remotecontrol 221 is provided with, so called “quick macro” keys “LAST” 260and “DO” 262 which will be described in further detail below.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart 266 representing the basic logic, of onepreferred embodiment, that may be carried out every time a key press ofthe remote control 221 is detected (step 70). Flowchart 268 of FIG. 11,which is discussed in more detail below, represents one method ofstoring a key's value.

In one embodiment, the remote control 221 checks to see if the keypressed is the JUMP key 236, i.e, remote control 221 monitors keyactivation. If the JUMP key is activated, the remote control 221initiates (at step 72) playback of the currently stored sequence of theMenu navigation key presses. This will be described in more detail inconjunction with FIG. 13.

If the key activated is not the JUMP key, the remote control 221 thendetermines if its current mode setting is “DVD,” for example. If not DVDmode, the user interface, e.g., the remote control 221, bypasses anyfurther checking and performs the key function in the usual manner. Thisprocess ensures that only menu and navigation key presses applicable tocontrol of the desired digital player device (i.e., the DVD player) arecaptured. (If the remote in question were a “single mode” or “modeless”unit, i.e. capable of controlling only the DVD player, for example, thisstep may easily be omitted.)

If the remote control 221 is in DVD mode, the remote 221 then checks tosee if the activated key is the menu function (or MENU key) 224. If theMENU key 224 is pressed, one may assume this action to be the start of anew series (new sequence) of menu navigation keystrokes by the user. Thesequence storage (e.g., sequence table 281) is then set to “empty” bysetting the “IN” pointer 290 equal to the “OUT” pointer 292. Othermethods of clearing the key sequence memory will be apparent. (Thefunctioning and description of the IN and OUT pointers will be describedin more detail in conjunction with FIGS. 11 and 12 below.) Note that inthe process set forth in FIG. 10, the MENU key 224 is not stored in thesequence table 281. This is advantageous if MENU key 224 is always thestart of a new navigation sequence. Thus, one need not use memory spaceto store the MENU key 224. In other implementations, there may be morethan one key which initiates entry into a menu system (e.g., “GUIDE,”“INFO” etc., used alone or in conjunction with a “MENU” button, and soforth) in which case the initiating key function should be stored aswell for playback.

The remote 221 determines whether the key pressed is one of the set offunctions associated with the menu navigation (up, down, left, right,select and play in this example) at step 274. If the key pressed is anavigation key, the remote 221 stores the key value into the sequencetable 281 at step 276, if a navigation key was not pressed, the storagestep is bypassed. This filtering means may occur when the values arebeing loaded into memory, or upon execution of the stored sequence. Thestorage process is discussed more fully below with reference to FIGS. 11and 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the remote 221, at step 278, completes theprocessing and sends the transmitted, preferably IR, functioncorresponding to that pressed key. RF technology and or communicationtechniques are also compatible with the inventor.

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict the process for saving a sequence of menunavigation keystrokes 280 (see FIG. 12 d). FIG. 11 shows a flowchart 268representing how data is entered into the sequence table 281 using theIN pointer. First the IN pointer 290 (see FIG. 12) at step 294 ischecked against a maximum predetermined value. This is one method ofpreventing overflow of table data into areas of memory allocated toother remote control functions. Other methods safeguarding memory willbe apparent to those of skill in the art. Without this safeguard, suchan overflow could, for example, be created by a user idly jiggling oneof the navigation keys while not actually using the DVD device. Themaximum IN limit can be set to any value compatible with theaforementioned goal of memory protection. However, for practicalpurposes, a number on the order of 32 is expected to be more thanadequate.

If the maximum IN value has not been reached, the remote 221 simplystores the current key value at the location indicated by the IN pointer290 increments the IN pointer 290 to point to the next availablelocation (see FIGS. 12( a)-12(d)) and returns to the main routine.

Referring to FIG. 12, one method of storing the navigation sequence isby controlling two pointers to a table space in memory, e.g., thesequence table 281. The pointers are labeled IN 290 and OUT 292. The INpointer 290 indicates where the next keystroke to be stored will beplaced, while the OUT pointer 292 indicates where playback of a keysequence will begin. During entry of data into the table 281, the OUTpointer 292 never changes. (Conversely, during retrieval of data fromthe table 281, the IN pointer 290 never changes.) Other methods ofstorage will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the teachingsdisclosed herein. FIGS. 12( a)-12(d) show the progression of table datacontents and pointers as a sequence of keystrokes “DOWN ARROW,” “RIGHTARROW,” and “SELECT” are stored.

FIG. 13 shows a playback logic flowchart 2100 representing a method toeffect playback of the stored keystrokes 282 once the JUMP key 236 isactivated. (More generally, a sequence may be stored between a firstpredetermined key and a second predetermined key, and playback initiatedby a third predetermined key.) First the remote control 221 checks tosee if it is currently in the applicable mode, e.g., DVD mode. If not,it switches to that mode (i.e., the JUMP key 236 effects control of theDVD device regardless of the current mode of the remote control 221.) Inthe playback implementation shown in flowchart 2100, the remote contr221 automatically sends the implied “MENU” command (because the MENUcommand was not stored to save memory).

The logic then checks to see if the OUT pointer 292 equals the INpointer 290. When the keystroke storage table (the sequence table) 281is empty, the OUT pointer 292 equals the IN pointer 290. A sequencetable 281 that is empty is shown in FIG. 12( a). If the OUT pointer 292equals the IN pointer 290, the remote control 221 then preferable exitsthe DVD menu mode. Though the menu mode has been exited, the secondarymaterial is still accessible. This is particularly so when, for example,the menu system was navigated to add an alternative viewing angle, orshow special effects features, etc. along with play of the primarymaterial.

In this embodiment pressing the JUMP key 236 when no key sequence hasbeen stored is the equivalent of, or results in the same effect as,pressing the “MENU” key 224. That is the menu screen is displayed uponactivation of JUMP key 236.

If the OUT pointer 292 does not match the IN pointer 290, the key dataat the location corresponding to the OUT pointer 292 is retrieved, andthen the corresponding IR command is transmitted. Programming thenincrements the OUT pointer value and repeats the OUT=IN? test. If OUTand IN are not equal, the control module continues to repeat theretrieve and transmit sequence until the OUT=IN? test is true.Alternative methods of changing and comparing pointer values isacceptable. More generally still, other methods of key storage andretrieval are acceptable and within the scope of the invention describedherein.

When the two pointers are equal after the key sequence has beentransmitted, the sequence playback is complete and the unit 221 resetsthe OUT pointer 292 back to its starting value (i.e., the unit 221readies itself to play the same sequence back again if required) andthen returns to the main routine. In this manner, one may navigatematerial, e.g., secondary material, to a desired screen. Intermediatescreens may be displayed or the logic may allow the user to go directlyto the desired screen.

In some applications, it is anticipated that the time interval betweenkey presses may be significant, i.e., relevant to the menu selection,etc. For example, where a key press causes a sub-menu display to beinitiated, and the target device must wait to recognize a subsequentselection key press until the sub-menu display is ready. In these andother cases, it is advantageous to store not only key press values, butalso the elapsed time between the key presses and then replicate thesepauses during playback—i.e., a “real time” playback. FIGS. 14-16 show analternative approach for storing and playing back key sequences. Themethods discussed in reference to FIGS. 14-16 account for an interkeypause sequence 282 (see FIG. 15), or a sequence having an interkey pausetime. For comparison and clarity, FIGS. 14-16 show how this feature canbe implemented by modification of the routines shown in FIGS. 10-13.

FIG. 14 depicts a flowchart 2120 representing a process for interkeydelay storage. The flowchart 2120 is modification of the routine shownin FIG. 10. Flowchart 2120 is modified to include capture and storage ofthe interkey pause time 284 (see FIGS. 15( c) and 15(g)). The initialselection process (e.g., determining whether a key press is a DVD menunavigation key) and storage of the key press value remains similar.However, after transmitting the key function, the remote 221 remainsactive to measure the elapsed time between this keystroke and the next.When the next key press in a sequence is detected, or if a predeterminedmaximum time has elapsed (e.g., 5 seconds), the remote 221 times thevalue and stores it as a second entry into the sequence table 281 (seeFIG. 15( g)).

FIG. 15 shows this time delay storage process in more detail regardingthe sequence storage table s81. The same sequence of keystrokes in FIG.13 is used. Playback of such a sequence of interleaved key values anddelay times is shown in flowchart 2130 of FIG. 16. Note that the delaytime saved after the final key press need not be implemented.

The embodiments described above offers the user a convenient way to,among other features, repeat a sequence, preferably the last sequence,of keystrokes applicable to a particular sub-set of keys on a userinterface. Features such as the “user macro” described in U.S. Pat. No.5,959,751 allow the user to program often-used fixed sequences ofkeystrokes for controlling hardware, e.g., controlling the player viceaccessing the storage medium, on a semi-permanent basis.

Another desirable feature would be a sequence definition process thatfalls somewhere between the “fully automatic,” and filter capable,systems described in the above embodiments and the semi-permanent systemdescribed in U.S. Pat. '751. An objective is to allow the user to veryquickly program and use a sequence of keystrokes of short-termusefulness, for example, for the duration of a show or sports event orportion of the video. This may be particularly useful in reviewingsecondary material where one may want to see the same scenes multipletimes from different angles, rather than watch the scenes simply playout. Further, this “DO” feature can be implemented as a sub set of theJUMP feature wherein the DO key sequence is not stored as part of theJUMP sequence.

One method of implementing a DO feature is represented by Flowchart 2140of FIG. 17 with the DO key, number 262 shown in FIG. 8. In general, ifthe user presses and holds this special, or predetermined key (DO key262), the remote 221 will memorize all other keystrokes entered while DOis held down. If, however, the user presses and releases DO with nointervening input of other keys, the remote 221 will play back thelast-entered DO sequence. Other variations on this exemplary processwill be apparent from the teachings disclosed herein.

FIG. 17 shows Flowchart 2140 setting forth an embodiment of theabove-described process. When the DO key 262 is initially pressed, theremote 221 enters a state where it monitors the other keys on the unit,storing key values into a DO table for as long as the DO key remainsdepressed, i.e., adding keys to the DO sequence table. Storage of keyvalues may be performed in exactly the same ways as previously describedin conjunction with FIGS. 11 and 12, except, perhaps to a second storagelocation independent of any jump key sequence that may exist. Thisprovides for both JUMP and DO features. (When the DO key 262 isreleased, the remote 221 will then play back the storage sequence ofkeystrokes.) In the implementation shown in FIG. 17, it may be notedthat the key sequence entered is played back immediately after entry, byway of confirmation. It will be appreciated that minor changes in logiccan be made to effect playback of the sequence only on subsequentpresses of the DO key 262. Also, the capture of inter-key timings can beincluded if desired, in a manner similar to that described above inconjunction with FIGS. 14-16.

In another embodiment, the user interface, e.g., a control module 220,reads at least one menu from the material provided on the removabledigital medium 214 and stores the at least one menu in memory. In apreferred variation of this embodiment, the at least one menu isdisplayed on the control module 220. FIG. 18 shows a remote control 2150capable of displaying the at least one menu on a display screen 2152. Ina preferred embodiment, the display screen 2152 is an LCD screen. Thedisplay screen 2152, preferably via a touch screen, provides access tosecondary material, such as special effects (F/X), different angle views(ANGLE), multiple angle views (Multi/Angle), and other such material asdiscussed previously.

In yet another embodiment, the remote control unit includes a larger LCDcapable of displaying the menu graphic(s) and/or buttons as defined bythe material provided on the removable digital medium and transmitted tothe remote by the player hardware. If this LCD is also equipped withtouch screen capability, the arrow keys may be dispensed with as theremote can automatically generate the appropriate sequence of navigationkeystrokes followed by a “select” command in response to a single touchby the user on the desired choice. Alternatively, the remote can sendjust an “x-y” coordinate for the button touched and the player hardwarecan decode this to the appropriate function command.

FIG. 12 depicts how a typical DVD menu tree 2160 may be arranged interms of the choices 2162-2174 offered the viewer. In a conventionalsystem, these would be displayed on the TV screen and navigated usingthe directional keys on the remote control. However, an alternativeapproach on DVD players equipped to communicate with a two-way capableremote control including a touch screen LCD display might be to presentthe menu choices as a series of displays, e.g., 2164-2168, on the remotecontrol itself. Selection is performed by the user touching the desiredchoice.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show how such an application including a display menumay appear. FIG. 20 shows a remote control 2180 having a touch screendisplay 2182. The first two menu pages 2162 and 2164 of the tree 2160are shown in FIG. 19 as these might appear in a “text only” format. Textscreen 2164 may be obtained by touching heading 2184 (“scene selection”)on display 2162. FIG. 21 shows portions 2190 and 2192 of a differentmenu tree which in this case includes black and white graphics 2194-2202which are downloaded to the remote 2180 to enhance the menu displayappearance.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a primary aspect of theinvention is directed toward an improved remote control characterized inthat the user interface is enhanced. In one embodiment, the enhancementis achieved by improving the navigation system. In one aspect, thenavigation system is improved through use of means for accessing desiredmedia in an expeditious manner. In another embodiment, the userinterface is improved through an improved menu display. In a particularembodiment, the navigation system is enhanced through use of an improveddisplay screen.

Accordingly, another aspect of the invention is directed toward meansfor achieving such user interface enhancements. In a particularembodiment, a microcontroller (a microprocessor combined with memory) isproved with the interface enhancement means.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising; a consumer electronicdevice adapted to render a media content; and a hand-held, portabledevice having a touch screen display, a transmitter, a receiver, amemory device, and a processing unit coupled to each of the touch screendisplay, the transmitter, the receiver, and the memory device; whereinthe processing unit of the hand-held, portable device uses datarepresentative of a plurality of media content that is renderable by theconsumer electronic device as received via the receiver to cause acorresponding plurality of command buttons to be displayed in the touchscreen display and to automatically assigned to each of the plurality ofcommand buttons a sequence of commands selected from a library ofcommands pre-stored in the memory device whereupon the processing unitof the hand-held, portable device will cause the transmitter to transmita one of the plurality of sequence of commands to the consumerelectronic device that was automatically assigned to a one of theplurality of command buttons caused to displayed in the touch screendisplay in response to the one of the plurality of command buttons beinginteracted with by a user to thereby cause the consumer electronicdevice to access and commence a rendering of a corresponding one of theplurality of media content.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, whereinat least one of the plurality of sequences of commands comprises asequence of commands for causing the consumer electronic device tocommence a rendering of a one of the plurality of media content storedon a memory device that is associated with the consumer electronicdevice.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the commandbuttons presents an image corresponding to a one of the plurality ofmedia content.
 4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of media content comprises a video.
 5. The system as recitedin claim 2, wherein the memory device associated with the consumerelectronic device comprises a digital video disc.
 6. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises an IR transmitter.7. A hand-held, portable device, comprising: a touch screen display, atransmitter, a receiver, a memory device, and a processing unit coupledto each of the touch screen display, the transmitter, the receiver, andthe memory device; wherein the processing unit of the hand-held,portable device uses data representative of a plurality of media contentthat is renderable by a consumer electronic device as received via thereceiver to cause a corresponding plurality of command buttons to bedisplayed in the touch screen display and to automatically assigned toeach of the plurality of command buttons a sequence of commands selectedfrom a library of commands pre-stored in the memory device whereupon theprocessing unit of the hand-held, portable device will cause thetransmitter to transmit a one of the plurality of sequence of commandsto the consumer electronic device that was automatically assigned to aone of the plurality of command buttons caused to displayed in the touchscreen display in response to the one of the plurality of commandbuttons being interacted with by a user to thereby cause the consumerelectronic device to access and commence a rendering of a correspondingone of the plurality of media content.
 8. The hand-held, portable deviceas recited in claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality ofsequences of commands comprises a sequence of commands for causing theconsumer electronic device to commence a rendering of a one of theplurality of media content stored on a memory device that is associatedwith the consumer electronic device.
 9. The hand-held, portable deviceas recited in claim 7, wherein each of the command buttons presents animage corresponding to a one of the plurality of media content.
 10. Thehand-held, portable device as recited in claim 7, wherein each of theplurality of media content comprises a video.
 11. The hand-held,portable device as recited in claim 8, wherein the memory deviceassociated with the consumer electronic device comprises a digital videodisc.
 12. The hand-held, portable device as recited in claim 7, whereinthe transmitter comprises an IR transmitter.